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Endurance trek by Halesowen pensioner

A 75-year-old Halesowen pensioner completed a 190-mile coast to coast walk despite suffering from cataracts and glaucoma and twisting his ankle twice.

Retired banker David Bicker said the13-day trek across Cumbria and Yorkshire was a “once-in-a-lifetime” challenge.

Fellow walker from the 10-strong group Erin Rutherford said: “His determination and sense of humour were an inspiration to those of us who made up his guided walk."

Mr Bicker, of Hartlebury Road, has early stage cataracts and has lost his peripheral vision in his right eye as a result of glaucoma.

He said: “I just had to be careful, particularly when going down hills, but I had a tremendous time.”

Mr Bicker, who is treasurer of a trust that runs two hostels in the Cambrian Mountains in mid-Wales, walked with his ankle strapped up after twisting it on the first day and twisted it again just three miles from the finish.

It had been three years since his last major trek when he completed more than 80 miles across the Lake District.

He added: “I was not as fit as I was three years ago and the coast walk was a different kettle of fish, but I’m glad I did it. It was something I had always wanted to do and I was with a very nice group.”

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